Finding Ancient city of Pyay in Myanmar

Ancient Pyu City state in Pyay

Pyay is located 258 Km to the northwest of Yangon. It is a charming medium size town situated on the eastern bank of the Ayeyarwaddy river. It is easily accessible from Yangon by car and is about halfway between Yangon and Bagan. One can make a stopover in Pyay and continue their journey to Bagan and Mandalay. It was called Prome during British occupation and in ancient time was known as Thayekhittra (Srikshetra). Srikshetra, the ancient Pyu Capital which is about 5 miles away from Pyay. It is one of the great archaeological sites in Myanmar. Pyu, the lost civilization left over their city walls and the historical buildings.

Interesting Places in Pyay

Shwesandaw Pagoda

Another hair relic Pagoda of Myanmar which stands on a hill built by two merchants brothers with the help of king of the Dragons, King of the Ogres and King of the Devas in 589 BC. One significant fact of the Pagoda is the existence of two umbrellas at the top of the Pagoda. Visitors may enjoy the great bird’s eyes view of the town and the river Ayeyarwaddy.

Sehtatgyi Paya

Looking east from the top of the Shwesandaw Pagoda platform you’ll see a hugh seated Bhudda figure rising up from the tree line. It name is called Sehtatgyi meaning ‘Big Ten-storey’ for its height.

The Night Market

It starts from the evening and open late every day. There are vendors and the snacks sellers in the Market. One may have a chance to taste various kinds of local snacks make from rice, glutinous, wheat, sugar, corn, etc.

Pyay Environs

Thayekhittaya (Sri Ksetra)

The old palace site lies five miles southeast of Pyay and 288 km northwest of Yangon. According to the legend, the city was built by King Dutabaung with the help of Sakra, Lord of Devas, and other Super normal powers. The Pyu city state was flourished from 4th century A.D to 9 century A.D. Standing in the centre of a pice of level ground, Sakra described a circle by means of a rope draggedround by Naga (Serpent Dragon). The entire city walls measure 8 and a half miles. Total area of the city is about 5 miles.

Phayagyi ceti

It is known as “Say Say” “(slow, slow)” was one of the nine Pyu cetis built by King Duttabaung.

Archaeological Museum

About 2 kilometers from the highway road turnoff by the old palace side, there stands a small museum and a big map of the area. Inside the museum is very nice collection of artifacts discovered at Srikshetra and its environment, such as, large stone burial urns with Pyu inscription, the cover stone of relic chamber bearing relief chamber, design of cetis, Pyu Buddha images, Hindu gods and goodness, Tayar Devi figure, Bodhisattra relief, Orge handing with sticks, Vishnu and Lashmi reiif, iron nails, iron post, Pyu stone inscription, brick of Pyu symbol, pieces of stone throne, terracotta votive tablets and terracotta figurines, Pyu Silver coins, Pyu beads and other Pyu cultural objects.

Bawbawgyi Paya

South of the museum, outside the city walls, is a unique conical shape and style which was significantly transformed in the architectural development of Baw Baw Gyi Ceti. Standing over 45 meters high, the brick and plaster of Bawbawgyi Paya is the oldest stupa in the area.

Other cube-shaped pagodas in the area include one thought to have been used by a hermit, featuring eight Buddha reliefs along the lower half of the interior wall and a vaulted ceiling of brick.

Lay Myat Hna Temple

It is a very rare existing monument in cave-liked Pagoda built in the Srikshetra Pyu period.The pagoda stands on a square house with four entrances. Each side of the walls is measure 22 ft and 5 inches. On the square house are three low terraces with curvilinear roofs all conjuring inwards.

Bebe Pagoda

Be Be Pagoda was built on a square house and with only one entrance is facing to the east.On the top of the house has three small receding terraces. Judging by the style of its architecture and that of the inscriptions, the construction date is probably A.D 10th Century.

Shwedaung

This small town is about 14km south of Pyay. There are two famous pagodas in this town. The Shwemyethmann Paya and the Shwenattaung Paya.

Shwemyethmann Paya

It is a well known Temple in shwedaung. A temple to house for ‘a golden Buddha Image with the Golden Spectacles’ a large white face sitting Buddha image inside the main shrine. The Buddha image wears golden rimmed spectacles. Spectacles were donated for the Buddha image during the Konbaung era. A belief is established that this image can cure illnesses especially for eyes.

Shwenattaung Paya

Shwenattaung means ‘Golden Spirit Mountain’. This pagoda dates back to the Sriksetra era. Legend says it was first built in 283 BC, later then it was reconstructed by a long range of Myanmar kings with the help of local nats (spirits). Pagoda festival is annually held here each year on the full moon of Tabaung (February/March).

Akauktaung Mountain

Akauktaung Mountain is situated to the north of Pyay which stands on the bank of Ayeyarwaddy River. It can be reach by car(approximately 1 ½ hours) first to Htomebo from there 15 mins boat ride to reach Akauktaung or one can make boat trip from Pyay (approximately 2 hours) to Akauktaung. A hillock engraved with many Buddha images of various sizes on its steep wall of the mountain Rock.

Paung Te

A small town between Yangon and Pyay is Paung te town. The sacred tooth relic of Buddha is enshrined in the Paung Te Swedaw Seddi. A large Pagoda festival and the religious procession annually held for the sacred tooth relic of Buddha.